Introducing Tech Talk : Evergreen Shopper (Ashland, WI)
Introducing Tech Talk. Think “Dear Abby†but instead of relationship advice the topic is technology. If you have any questions about software, hardware, internet, programming, web pages, blogs, video games, video consoles, cell phones, money saving technology, local tech resources, security, error messages, virus, spyware, or any other topic concerning technology that you would like answered write to Tech Talk.  The questions and answers will be printed and available on “The Contemplation”.
Evergreen Country Shopper
Attention: Tech Talk
P.O. Box 408
417 9th Ave. W.
Ashland, WI 54806
Email: techtalk@soketnetto.com
Until Evergreen Country Shopper has submitted questions, Tech Talk will bring you general technology information.
Mac Alert!
If you have Mac OX Snow Leopard Operating System on your computer, please disable “Guest†account. Many Snow Leopard users are experiencing total home directory wipes after logging into and out of their Guest accounts
Windows 7 Doing the Geeky Dance
Windows 7 has finally come out and it hit the retail shelves. In the United Kingdom, Microsoft Windows 7 pre-orders out sold the previous ranked pre-order item, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. All techies are raving and having fun playing with their operating system. Is Windows 7 for you?
Before you decide anything you might want to check out Microsoft’s Windows 7 Product Guide (http://tinyurl.com/windowss7guide). This, 140 page, guide is the most comprehensive official document on Windows 7 and it isn’t full of technical jargon.  It is perfect for those who want to know what you can expect from the new Microsoft operating system.
If you bought a new computer in the past year you are most likely eligible for a free upgrade. Don’t get too excited, upgrades are only available for certain Vista operating systems. If you have Windows XP or Vista Home Basic your computer isn’t upgradable; the only option is to buy the full package and do a clean (full) install. The clean install, depending on your hard-drive setting, will erase all data on your machine. Just remember to backup your data externally.
Windows 7 will not run on every computer. You need to download and run the “Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor†(http://tinyurl.com/windows7upgradecheck). Helpful hint, connect all your devices to your PC and turn them on before you scan. This way the scan will check external devices for compatibility.
Microsoft Windows 7 is not perfect. The operating system has some issues concerning driver support. Windows 7 doesn’t have all the drivers necessary to run your devices and few manufacturers have not updated their drivers. Which means you either have to find a “work around yourself or being on hold with Microsoft’s Tech Support.
Don’t be tempted to download and install the $29.99 student upgrade deal. Students (with a valid .edu address) are able to purchase, download and install Windows 7 for $29.99. For an extra $13 the student could get a physical disc mailed to them. The download comes as an .exe file that when clicked students received the error that prevented them from going any further. The file doesn’t really unpack in the proper manner. The best solution is to dive into your finances and just pay the $13 for physical disc; the issue is only with the download.
Microsoft Windows 7 is not cheap. The Full install Windows Home Premium is priced at $200 with Ultimate pulling the lead $320.
If you have Vista, not Vista Home Basic, the upgrade to Windows Home Premium is priced at $120 with Ultimate topped at $220.
If you are a DIY kind of person, OEM might be the best deal for you. What is OEM? OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer” and refers to software that is sold for the purpose of bundling with computer hardware. OEM pricing for the Full install Windows Home Premium is $109.99 with the Ultimate is priced just under $200. Just know that OEM software doesn’t have any tech support. (http://tinyurl.com/mswindows7oem)
If you are one of the few lucky ones without driver issues you should be a happy camper. If you have problems and want to contact Microsoft Tech Support dig in your pocket a little deeper. Microsoft tech support is not cheap. Email or online chat with Microsoft Tech Support it will cost $49 and if you want to talk to someone on the phone it will cost you $60 (http://tinyurl.com/windows7techsuppot).
If you have the time, money and tech knowledge go and get Windows 7. Give yourself 1-20 hours (not a typo) for a complete install or upgrade. There is a loop process that will just seem to go on forever, but in the end you will have a new Operating System.
Final Advice
Right now the only people that need to upgrade are those who have Windows Vista. Â Windows 7 fixes allot of the issues users were dealt with in Vista. For the rest of us, just is a little patient.
Let other users work out the kinks. Wait one year or for the first Windows 7 service patch to be available (which ever comes first).
While you wait get prepared to make the Windows 7 jump.
- Can your computer handle Windows 7? (http://tinyurl.com/windows7upgradecheck)
- Do your devices (camera, printers, external hard-drives and so on) have Windows 7 drivers? Go to each device manufacturers support sites and see if Windows 7 device drivers are available. Once all your devices have the drivers you should be confident in upgrading or full install.
Can you afford Windows 7? Nothing wrong with wanting Windows 7, but the pricing is a bit too high for most users.  If you are itching for a new operating system, try Ubuntu (www.ubuntu.com). It’s free and can run from a CD.
Next Tech Talk – Best Freeware for Mac and PC
Article submitted before fix. Fix in later article.
OS X update 10.6.2 fixes the guest account bug.